Introducing Windows 2000 Deployment Planning
Introducing Windows 2000 Deployment Planning |
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Faster CPUs and network adapters are the traditional benchmarks of network performance. In the future, more efficient read/write capabilities, improved input/output (I/O) performance, and faster disk access will be equally important characteristics of network architectures. Environments that require mission-critical computers can now use the extended capabilities of Windows 2000. Table 1.11 highlights Windows 2000 features that will assist you in improving network scalability and availability.
Table 1.11 Scalability and Availability
| Feature | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Memory Architecture | Windows 2000 Advanced Server allows you to access up to 32 GB of memory on processors. | Allows applications that perform transaction processing or decision support on large data sets to keep more data in memory for improved performance. |
| Improved symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) scalability | Windows 2000 Advanced Server has been optimized for eight-way SMP servers. | Allows organizations to take full advantage of faster processors. |
| Cluster service | Allows two or more servers to work together as a single system. | Allows greater availability, reliability, stability, and security with simplified management. |
| Intelligent Input/Output (I2O) support | I2O relieves the host of interrupt-intensive I/O tasks by offloading processing from main CPUs. | Improves I/O performance in high-bandwidth applications. |
| Terminal Services | Through terminal emulation, Terminal Services allows the same set of applications to run on diverse types of client hardware, including thin clients, older computers, or clients not running Windows. Can also be used as a remote administration option. | Allows for centralized management of applications and desktops for task-based workers. Provides technology for bridging existing desktops to a full Microsoft® Win32® environment. Gives remote users local network performance over dial-up remote access connections. Also provides for graphical remote administration of any Windows 2000 Server. |
| Network Load Balancing | Combines up to 32 servers running Windows 2000 Advanced Server into a single load balancing cluster. It is used most often to distribute incoming Web requests among its cluster of Internet server applications. | Enhances the availability and scalability of Web servers, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers, streaming media servers, and other mission-critical programs by combining the functionality of two or more host computers (servers that are members of the cluster). |
| IntelliMirror | IntelliMirror allows users to have their data, applications, and settings follow them when they are not connected to the network. | Data is always available and the user's view of the computing environment is consistent, whether or not the client is connected to the network. |
For more information about deploying Windows 2000 Cluster service, see "Ensuring the Availability of Applications and Services"in this book.
For more information about Terminal Services, see "Deploying Terminal Services"in this book.